12-year-old Yusuf Selim in Izmir breathes easier with his third heart surgery

Living in the Bornova district, Bolat had two heart surgeries at 2.5 and 5 months old due to the congenital absence of one of his left heart valves and narrowing of the blood vessels.

His family took Bolat, whose complaints of weakness, inability to walk comfortably and shortness of breath continued despite treatments, to Dr. Behçet Uz Pediatric Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital last year.

Bolat, who was examined by Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery Education Manager Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nihat Çine and Pediatric Cardiology Clinic Education Manager Prof. Dr. Timur Meşe, began to be monitored.

During their checkups, doctors discovered narrowing in the veins where Bolat had previously undergone surgery and in the main artery on the left side of his heart. They decided to transplant the valve on his right side to the left and replace the valve on the right with a valve from a cadaver.

Bolat recovered after 8 hours of surgery.

Yusuf Selim Bolat told an AA correspondent that his doctors gave him moral support during his treatment.

Bolat, explaining that his life changed after the surgery, said, "Even my breathing became easier after the surgery. I continue my life with greater relief. I noticed that I tire more slowly. The surgery will allow me to live a better life."

Mother Esma Bolat expressed her happiness that her son, who had been going through difficult times, had regained his health, saying, "We couldn't hug much after the surgery. Now I want to hug my son without fear."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nihat Çine, who performed the surgery, said that Yusuf Selim Bolat's life was in danger when he applied to them, and that they discussed the matter in detail with Prof. Dr. Timur Meşe and his team.

Çine explained that having had two previous heart surgeries pose risks, and continued:

"We had to intervene almost everywhere on the left side of the heart. There was a stenosis under the valve. The stenosis created a swirling current, damaging the valve's structure and straining the heart. We had a stenosis in the valve in the main artery. Because he was only 12 years old, the valve we would replace there had to be capable of growing in case he needed a replacement."

Çine noted that Bolat had recovered following surgery and treatment, saying, "Our patient is walking and getting around. Yusuf Selim's smile is a gift to us."